Line-casting machine



June '14, 1927.

. I. T. REMAs LINE CASTING MACHINE I Filed Jan. 2. 1926 2 Sheets-$heet 1 .V v E ||||l r 5 1 I I i J INVENTOR.

June 14,1927.

- I. T. REMAs LINE CASTING momma Filed Jan. 2. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 N VEN TOR. TW

A TTORNE Y1 Patented June 14, 1927;

ts. STATES rarer .rsizoozan r. mamas, or woonnavnn, niiw roan, assrenon 'IO MERGENTl-IALER LINo'rYrn COMPANY, A oonronacrron or new YORK.

LIiifE-CAEiTING MACHINE.

Application filed January My invention relates to line casting inachines, such as linotyo-e machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent oi? the United States No. a36,582, to

5 O. Mergenthaler, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print and then assembled in line, the composed line presented between two confining jaws to close the front ofa slotted mold, the mold lilled with molten metal to cast a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, andthe matrices thereafter returned through disl5 tributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started. More particularly, it relates to the casting inechanisn'i of such machines and is concerned with the production of blank slugs orleads, such as are used 90 extensively for making up printing forms.

In practice, these blank slugs are ordinarily cast against the rear face of the left-hand jaw, which is capable of being moved horizontally across the face of the mold and up against the right-hand jaw, in the absence of matrices, so to completely close the mold slot at the front. In the commercial linotype machines, the relatively fixed righthand jaw is also moved slightly endwise beiore casting to actuate a pump stop lever and permit the casting operation to take place. Consequently, in the casting of blank slugs, it is necessary not only that the two jaws be loci-zed tightly together in order to prevent the escape of metal between them as it is delivered tothe mold, but in addition that thepump stop lever be actuated to release the pot plunger.

The present invention provides an arrangement'for effecting both of said operations automatically and preferably by the mold. advancing means, it being understood that the molds are usually carried by a slide, which is advanced to press the front face of the active mold tightly against the composed line oi'matrices just before the pot plunger descends or, in the absence of matrices, against the left-hand aw, so that in either event the mold slot will be sealed at the time metal is forced into it. In the embodiment illustrated, alatch pivoted to the framework and actuated from the'mold slide is arranged to engage the lett-hand j awwhen the 2, 1926. Serial No. 78,?58.

latter is shifted into contact with the oppos ing right-hand jaw and through such engagement lock the two jaws together and operate the pump stop lever.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 have shown my invention only in preferred form and by way of example, but obviously many changes and variations may be made therein and in its mode 01'? application, which will still be comprised within its spirit. Generally speaking, I desire it to be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to any particular form or embodiment, except in so far as such lhnitations are specified in the claims. 7

In the drawings: M

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation, partly in section, of the line-clamping jaws and associated parts, showing the application of my i111 provements Fig. 21s a perspective View, showing in detail the construction of thejawr is they appear equipped with the present' arrangement;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View, partly in section, of the parts shown in Fig. 1., showing a portion oi? the mold advancing means; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical transversesection, taken on line ld of Fig. 1..

iVhen casting slugs from composed lines of matrices, the latter are presented between a pair of clamping jaws A, A, whereby they are securely held in front of the mold B during the casting operation. One or more of such molds is carried by a supporting wheel or disc B rotatably mounted on the well-known mold slide C, which, at each cycle of operation, is advanced from the rear to press the active mold tightly against the matrix line. Molten metal is then in jected into the mold under the influence of a pump plunger (not shown) through the mouthpiece D of the melting pot. The clamping jaws A, A are commonly known and distinguishable as the right-hand and left-hand jaws, the latter jaw A being much longer than the opposing jaw A and formed with a fiat rear face sufficiently long to cover and close the mold slot throughout its length, when desired. The left-hand jaw A is further formed with a shouldered supporting portion A? arranged to slide horizontally in the vise frame E, so that the jaw can be moved endwise to and from the jaw A in order to accommodate matrix lines of different lengths. In the absence of matrices, however, the jaw A may be advanced (as shown in Figs. 1 and 3) entirely across the mold and up against the jaw A to cover the face of the mold B for the casting of blank slugs. The right-hand jaw A, on the other hand, is relatively fixed although permitted a slight yielding movement in order to actuate alever F, which, as before stated, con- .trols a stop device employed to prevent the descent of the pot plunger and the delivery of metal to the mold under abnormal conditions. v This lever is acted upon by a spring. (not shown) which normally presses the jaw A inward slightly beyond its operative position, so that while lines of the requisite subsequently pointed out, are or may be of ordinary construction and in themselves constitute no part of my invention.

The present invention 1s directed to certain improvements intended to facilitate the casting of blank slugs, it being remembered that on such occasions the left-handjaw A is first moved across the mold and up against the opposingjaw A (as shown in Figs. 1' and 3). Accordingly, means controlled preferably by the mold advancing mechanism are provided to lock the jaws tightly together at the time of casting and to actuate the pump stop lever F inthe manner required. Such means, in the'presentinstance, comprise a latch G pivoted .at G to the vise frame E and formed with a hooked end G and anoperating ear G A lug A projecting from the end of the left hand jaw support A and having a beveled offset portion A", is also provided and ar ranged in operativerelation to said latch when the jaws are in contact (see Fig. l).

It will be noted that the hooked end G of the latch G at such times is located directly below the beveled portion A of the lug A and will be moved into engagement therewith asthe latch is rocked upwardly. The left-hand jaw A will thus be drawn further to the left in Fig. 1 and force the opposing jaw A over against an adjustable stop screw J mounted in the framework. In this way, the two jaws are locked tightly together and the lever F actuated to release thepot plunger and permit the casting operation to take place as usual.

The rocking of the latch G, which \(as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) is confined to move within certain limits, is efiected through the medium of a rod G slidably mounted in the supporting portion A of the jaw A and provided at its inner end adjacent the latch G with a pin G arranged to engage behind the operating ear G before mentioned. This rod is extended outward beyond the vise frame E and is formed at its outer or exposed end with a shouldered portion G, whereby the rod may be pulled outwardly to actuate the latch. In this connection, it is pointed out that it might be found d"- sirable to operate the rod G? by hand, since its free end is located within easy reach of the operator, and the provision of a suitable grip for the rod would suffice to make the device so far described a practical structure. These advantagesmay be more fully recognized when it is understood that many machines now on the market are without any sort of equipment of this character and in consequence thereof it has been the custom of the operator to use his hand to hold the jaws in the required position at the time of casting and thus take the risk of sustaining severe burns from any molten metal that might escape from the front of the mold. However, in carrying out this invention, it is proposed to operate the rod Gr automatically and preferably by the mold advancing mechanism, so that the jaws will be locked together and the pot plunger released at the proper moment, Without any attention whatever on the part of the operator. To this end, the mold slide C, which, as previously stated, is advancedto press the active mold B against the rear face of the left-hand jaw A before casting, is provided with a bracket C to which is adjustably secured a cylindrical rod H, the latter being suitably guided in a fixed bearing 1 and formed with a tapered Wedge-shaped end portion H arranged to engage theshoulder G of the latch rod G i It will now be clear from the foregoing that, as the mold slide is advanced to the dotted-line posit-ion indicated in Fig. 3 for casting, the rodH will be thrust forwardly and the wedge-shaped end portion H caused to engage the shoulder G- and cam the rod Gr outwardly. As a result, the latch G is rocked upwardly by the pin G and the two jaws A, A, locked together and then moved over to actuate the pump stop lever F. After the casting operation, the rod H, by the retraction of the mold slide, releases the latch rod G and permits the spring-pressed lever F to return the jaws to their original positions, as indicated by the full lines in Figs. 1 and 3, the beveled portion A of the lug A at such times acting "against the hooked portion G of the latch G to push the latter downwardly and through the medium of the ear G tov restore the rod G to its normal inactive position. As is well known, when a matrix line is to be presented llll) between the two jaws, the left-hand jaw A is shifted back by the longer finger 01 the transfer carriage. It will also be understood that when the jaws are separated, the automatic latch G will simply operate idly.

As previously stated, I have shown my invention only in preferred "form and by way of example, but obviously many modifications and alterations therein and in its modeo't adaptation will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departure from its scope.

Having thus described my invention, its construction and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

1. In a line casting machine, the combination of a relatively fixed jaw, an opposing jaw movable into contact therewith, a mold, means-for advancing the latter againstthe jaws, and means operable by the mold advancing means for locking the jaws together during casting.

2. In a line casting machine, the combination of a relatively lined jaw, an opposing jaw movable into contact therewith, a mold,

means for advancing the latter against thejaws, and a latch operable by the mold advancing means and arranged to engage the movable aw and hold it against the opposing jaw during casting.

3. In a line casting machnie, the combination of a movable jaw and a relatively fixed though slightly yielding opposing aw, a, pump stop lever actuated by the latter jaw, and a latch, pivoted on a relatively fixed support and operable automatically to lock' the jaws together and actuate the pump stop lever preparatory to casting.

a. In a line casting machine, the combination of a movable jaw and a relatively fixed though slightly yielding opposing jaw, a pump stop lever actuated by the latter jaw, a. mold, means for advancing the latter against the jaws, and means operable by the mold advancing means to lock the jaws together and actuate the pump stop lever nation of a movable jaw and a relatively fixed opposingjj aw, a movable latch mounted on a relatively fixed support for locking the jaws together during the casting operation, and means for moving the latch into and out 01 action, as required.

6. In a line casting machine, the combination of a movable jaw and a relatively fixed opposing jaw, a mold, a slide whereon the mold is mounted, a latch movable in the machine frame and arranged to engage the movable jaw for locking it against the opposing jaw, and means controlled by said mold slide to actuate said latch.

' 7. In a line casting machine, the combination of a movable jaw and a relatively fixed opposing jaw, a mold, a slide whereon the mold is mounted, a latch mounted in the machine frame and arranged to engage the movable jaw for locking it against the opposing jaw, a slidable rod operativelyengaged at one end with said latch, and a wedge-shaped member connected to the mold slide and arranged to engage said rod at its other end.

8. In a linotype machine, the combination of the right-hand jaw A, the lefthand A- provided with the lug A, the pivoted latch G, the mold slide C, the wedge-shaped member H connected to the slide C, and the connecting rod G all substantially as shown and described.

9. In a line casting machine, the combination of a movable jaw and a relatively fixed opposing jaw, a pivoted latch mounted in a relatively fixed support and arranged to engage the movable jaw for locking it against the opposing jaw, and a slidable rod operable to move the latch into and out of engagement with the movable jaw.

In testimony whereof, I have atfirzed my signature hereto.

ISIDORE T. REMAS, 

